Southern Spain Part 3-La Mezquita

Cordoba was the Capital of Muslim Spain.  There we found La Mezquita, an awesome Mosque with a Christian church built inside of it.   The Christians didn't destroy the mosque they just made it work for their needs.  The Muslim mosaics had been covered up with plaster and were still being uncovered.  The mosque is HUGE! and really unique.  We found the small, white chapel built inside really unique as well. 

These cute flower pots hang on the side of the houses.  I am sure that it is very beautiful in the summer.

These two are the very best of friends.  I never want that to change.

Pebble lined and decorated paths. 

 Inside la Mezquita:

In front of the church that is in the center of the mosque.

The kids might have played 'hide and seek' and tag while we were inside.  They loved all of the columns.

Some of the gold mosaics that had been uncovered.  Maybe this was revenge for the plaster over the gold Christian mosaics in the Hagia Sophia.

Southern Spain- Part 2 The bull in Rhonda

Rhonda is part of what is called the White Hills of Spain.  It has Spain's first bull ring and a neat gorge/bridge area.  The bull fights are in June, July, and September so the ring was empty.  As part of our tour of the ring they allowed the kids to run and play in the ring.  I think they played for at least an hour and it will be one of their favorite memories of the trip.  This was our only gray day with a few raindrops, it wasn't terrible.

Called the White Hills because there are entire villages with all white houses.  I don't know why.

Davis and Christian played frisbee everywhere we went.

He climbs everything!

All of the orange trees were so tempting to Jag.  He wanted an orange from a tree so badly.  Despite the fact that I explained all oranges come from trees...it was the thought of picking one. Every orange was just out of his reach.  Every time.

It was hard to get a decent picture of the bridge, but it was very impressive.  It would be more impressive if I could remember any details about it.  I think it is pretty old.

  

 

Noah ran like a bull for a very long time.  He still runs like a bull when he is mad- charging every brother is a favorite and effective fighting technique.

I love my family!  Goof balls.

more frisbee playing

The chutes that the bulls run through to get into the ring.

Sorano ham?  These legs hang all over the place.

Still trying to get an orange for Jag...

Southern Spain, Part1-Alhambra

In February, YIKES 3 months ago I don't know if I've avoided my blog so long before, we took a trip to Southern Spain.  It was the perfect time because it was off-season and quite cheap, no crowds, sun, perfect. 
We flew into Malaga where we got our rental van and then immediately started seeing things.  Off to Granada and The Alhambra.  It is a giant Moorish Palace that sits atop a hill  in the city.  It was kind of great to be back inside a Muslim palace, we kind of like that stuff.  The Alhambra is the number one site to see and number one most visited place in Spain (according to Davis and his research).  It is usually very crowded with only a limited number (8000) allowed to enter daily.  But our timing was great and we visited on a Sunday afternoon.

Christian jumped in Davis' picture. 

He is such a cute kid.

The key-hole door ways so characteristic of Muslim buildings.

Overlooking Granada's Moorish area.  I love that Noah is always pulling a face.

The same word has been stamped over and over, like a billion times but I don't remember the exact number.

Look!  Fish!  These two are always looking for something interesting.

The Sultan's throne.  Not too comfy looking to me.

Davis had a super loose tooth that he had been hiding from me.  I noticed it! While he was talking to me, I used my super hero reflexes and flipped it out mid-sentence.  It was awesome! The look of shock on his face still makes me laugh.  For something barely hanging on, it bled like crazy.  He wanted to spit in the fountains. 

This is his happy face.

"Don't touch the old columns!"  At least that is what I think the lady was growling at us.

Goof balls in "jail."

We were up at 3 AM to drive to the airport for our 3 hour flight to Spain.  All the kids were tired.  Once again, a picture of me carrying Anya throughout Europe.